Video content delivery over wireless access networks with quality of service (qos) guarantees

ABSTRACT

A device receives, from a content provider, traffic parameters associated with a video content request received from a fixed user device connected to a wireless access network, and determines, based on the traffic parameters, a trigger for creating a dedicated bearer for the fixed user device in the wireless access network. The device also provides the trigger to the wireless access network, where the wireless access network creates the dedicated bearer for the fixed user device based on the trigger, and the wireless access network assigns quality of service (QoS) parameters, based on the traffic parameters, to video content delivered to the fixed user device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/849,916 filed on Aug. 4, 2010, the contents of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

As wireless network data rates improve using third generation (3G),fourth generation (4G), and WiFi technologies, more and morebandwidth-intensive applications are being developed. Video over theInternet is becoming a significant part of Internet traffic with videoportals provided by content providers, such as Hulu, YouTube, CNN, etc.Video content is also becoming more popular with applications providedvia smart phones (e.g., the Motorola DROID, the iPhone, etc.). Much ofthe video content provided by such content providers and/or applicationsis high bit rate content that is not optimized for wireless networks.Furthermore, wireless networks may be utilized as a “last mile solution”(e.g., connection between a customer and a telephone company, cablecompany, and/or service provider) in remote regions (e.g., ruralregions) for the delivery of video content, such as television (TV)content (e.g., TV shows, pay-per-view (PPV) content, video-on-demand(VOD) content, etc.).

Wireless service providers have no control over this off-network videocontent. For example, wireless service providers cannot provide qualityof service (QoS) guarantees to such video content. QoS refers toresource reservation control mechanisms that provide differentpriorities to different applications, users, and/or traffic (e.g., videocontent), or guarantees a certain level of performance (e.g., a requiredbit rate, delay, jitter, packet dropping probability, and/or bit errorrate (BER) may be guaranteed) to traffic. If content delivery is notoptimized for wireless networks, video content may become a chokingpoint for the wireless networks. This may result in poor userexperiences and degraded services (e.g., provided by the wirelessnetworks) for other applications like voice-over-Internet protocol(VoIP).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example network in which systems and/ormethods described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of example components of one or more of the devicesof the network depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example interactions between components of anexample portion of the network illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of example interactions between components ofanother example portion of the network illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of example functional components of a network devicedepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of example functional components of a policy controlfunction device depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 7-10 are flow charts of example processes for providing QoSguarantees to video content delivered to fixed user devices overwireless access networks according to implementations described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does notlimit the invention.

Systems and/or methods described herein may provide QoS guarantees tovideo content delivered to fixed user devices over wireless accessnetworks. The systems and/or methods may extend policy controlcapabilities of the wireless access network so that policies for QoSdelivery are simplified. In one example implementation, the systemsand/or methods may receive a video content request from a fixed userdevice connected to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) access network, and mayprovide the video content request to a content provider. The systemsand/or methods may receive a trigger for creating a dedicated bearer, inthe LTE network, based on traffic parameters associated with the videocontent request, and may create a dedicated bearer for the fixed userdevice, in the LTE network, based on the trigger. The systems and/ormethods may receive video content from the content provider based on thevideo content request, may assign or provide QoS parameters to the videocontent based on the traffic parameters, and may provide, to the userdevice via the LTE network, the video content with the QoS parameters.

In another implementation, for example, the systems and/or methods mayreceive subscriber profile information for a fixed user device when theuser device connects to a LTE network, and may receive a video contentrequest from the fixed user device. The systems and/or methods mayprovide the video content request to a content provider, may receivevideo content from the content provider based on the video contentrequest, and may create a dedicated bearer for the fixed user devicewhen the video content matches the subscriber profile information. Thesystems and/or methods may assign or provide QoS parameters to the videocontent based on the subscriber profile information, and may provide, tothe user device via the LTE network, the video content with the QoSparameters.

As used herein, the terms “customer,” “viewer,” “subscriber,” and/or“user” may be used interchangeably. Also, the terms “customer,”“viewer,” “subscriber,” and/or “user” are intended to be broadlyinterpreted to include a user device (e.g., a mobile telephone, apersonal computer, a set-top box, a television, etc.) or a user of auser device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example network 100 in which systems and/ormethods described herein may be implemented. As illustrated, network 100may include a user device 110, a base station 120, a network device 130,a policy control function 140, a network 150, and a video contentprovider 160. Components of network 100 may interconnect via wiredand/or wireless connections. A single user device 110, base station 120,network device 130, policy control function 140, network 150, and videocontent provider 160 have been illustrated in FIG. 1 for simplicity. Inpractice, there may be more user devices 110, base stations 120, networkdevices 130, policy control functions 140, networks 150, and/or videocontent providers 160.

User device 110 may include any device that is capable of communicatingwith video content provider 160 via a wireless network (e.g., providedby base station 120 and/or network device 130). For example, user device110 may include a mobile computation and/or communication device, suchas a radiotelephone, a personal communications system (PCS) terminal(e.g., that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processingand data communications capabilities), a personal digital assistant(PDA) (e.g., that can include a radiotelephone, a pager,Internet/intranet access, etc.), a wireless device, a smart phone, alaptop computer (e.g., with a wireless air card), a global positioningsystem (GPS) device, a content recording device (e.g., a camera, a videocamera, etc.), etc. In another example, user device 110 may include afixed (e.g., provided in a particular location, such as within acustomer's home) computation and/or communication device, such as alaptop computer, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a set-top box(STB), a television, a gaming system, etc.

Base station 120 may include one or more computation and/orcommunication devices that receive voice and/or data (e.g., videocontent) from video content provider 160 (e.g., via network device 130)and transmit that voice and/or data to user device 110. Base station 120may also include one or more devices that receive voice and/or data(e.g., a request for video content) from user device 110 and transmitthat voice and/or data to video content provider 160 (e.g., via networkdevice 130 and network 150).

Network device 130 may include one or more data transfer devices, suchas a gateway, a router, a switch, a firewall, a network interface card(NIC), a hub, a bridge, a proxy server, an optical add-drop multiplexer(OADM), or some other type of device that processes and/or transfersdata. In one example, network device 130 may include a mobile wirelessgateway that provides a convergence point between wireless protocols(e.g., associated with user device 110 and/or base station 120) and IPprotocols (e.g., associated with policy control function 140, network150, and/or video content provider 160). The mobile wireless gateway mayroute packets (or portions of packets) from a wireless network (e.g.,user device 110 and base station 120) to another network (e.g., network150). In one implementation, network device 130 may receive requests forvideo content from user device 110 (e.g., via base station 120), and mayprovide the requests for video content to video content provider 160.Network device 130 may receive the requested video content from videocontent provider 160, may apply QoS parameters or guarantees to thevideo content, and may provide the video content (e.g., with theguaranteed QoS) to user device 110 (e.g., via base station 120). Furtherdetails of network device 130 are provided below in connection with oneor more of FIGS. 2-5.

In one example, base station 120 and/or network device 130 may provide awireless access network for user device 110. The wireless accessnetwork, in one implementation, may correspond to a LTE network. The LTEnetwork may include a communications network that connects subscribers(e.g., user device 110) to a service provider (e.g., video contentprovider 160). In another implementation, the wireless access networkmay include a WiFi network or other access networks (e.g., an enhancedhigh-rate packet data (eHRPD) network or a WiMax network). In anotherexample, the wireless access network may include a radio access networkcapable of supporting high data rate, low latency, packet optimization,large capacity and coverage, etc.

Policy control function 140 may include one or more computation orcommunication devices that may provide policy control decision and flowbased charging control functionalities. Policy control function 140 mayprovide network control regarding service data flow detection, gating,QoS and flow based charging, etc. Policy control function 140 maydetermine how a certain service data flow shall be treated, and mayensure that user plane traffic mapping and treatment is in accordancewith a user's subscription profile. In one implementation, policycontrol function 140 may receive traffic parameters (e.g., source anddestination IP addresses, port over which traffic is carried, protocolover which traffic is carried, average and peak required data rates,etc.) for video content delivery from video content provider 160. Policycontrol function 140 may trigger creation of a dedicated bearer for userdevice 110 (e.g., in the LTE network provided by base station 120 and/ornetwork device 130) based on the received traffic parameters. In anotherimplementation, policy control function 140 may receive profileinformation associated with video content subscribers (e.g., users ofuser devices 110), and may provide profile information for a particularsubscriber to network device 130 when the particular subscriber attachesto the LTE network (e.g., provided by base station 120 and/or networkdevice 130). Further details of policy control function 140 are providedbelow in connection with one or more of FIGS. 2-4 and 6.

Network 150 may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a telephone network, such asthe Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an intranet, the Internet,an optical fiber (or fiber optic)-based network, a cable televisionnetwork, a satellite television network, or a combination of networks.

Video content provider 160 may include one or more server devices, orother types of computation or communication devices, that gather,process, search, and/or provide information in a manner describedherein. In one implementation, video content provider 160 may include acomputer system, an application, a cable head-end, and/or a broadcastingdevice capable of providing video content (e.g., VOD content, highdefinition (HD)-VOD content, TV programming, movies, on-demand services,live television, etc.), commercials, advertisements, instructions,and/or other information.

Although FIG. 1 shows example components of network 100, in otherimplementations, network 100 may contain fewer components, differentcomponents, differently arranged components, and/or additionalcomponents than those depicted in FIG. 1. Alternatively, oradditionally, one or more components of network 100 may perform one ormore other tasks described as being performed by one or more othercomponents of network 100.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of example components of a device 200 that maycorrespond to one of the devices of network 100. As illustrated, device200 may include a bus 210, a processing unit 220, a memory 230, an inputdevice 240, an output device 250, and a communication interface 260.

Bus 210 may permit communication among the components of device 200.Processing unit 220 may include one or more processors ormicroprocessors that interpret and execute instructions. In otherimplementations, processing unit 220 may be implemented as or includeone or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), or the like.

Memory 230 may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type ofdynamic storage device that stores information and instructions forexecution by processing unit 220, a read only memory (ROM) or anothertype of static storage device that stores static information andinstructions for the processing unit 220, and/or some other type ofmagnetic or optical recording medium and its corresponding drive forstoring information and/or instructions.

Input device 240 may include a device that permits an operator to inputinformation to device 200, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a pen,a microphone, one or more biometric mechanisms, and the like. Outputdevice 250 may include a device that outputs information to theoperator, such as a display, a speaker, etc.

Communication interface 260 may include any transceiver-like mechanismthat enables device 200 to communicate with other devices and/orsystems. For example, communication interface 360 may include mechanismsfor communicating with other devices, such as other devices of network100.

As described herein, device 200 may perform certain operations inresponse to processing unit 220 executing software instructionscontained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory 230. Acomputer-readable medium may be defined as a physical or logical memorydevice. A logical memory device may include memory space within a singlephysical memory device or spread across multiple physical memorydevices. The software instructions may be read into memory 230 fromanother computer-readable medium or from another device viacommunication interface 260. The software instructions contained inmemory 230 may cause processing unit 220 to perform processes describedherein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement processes describedherein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to anyspecific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

Although FIG. 2 shows example components of device 200, in otherimplementations, device 200 may contain fewer components, differentcomponents, differently arranged components, or additional componentsthan depicted in FIG. 2. Alternatively, or additionally, one or morecomponents of device 200 may perform one or more other tasks describedas being performed by one or more other components of device 200.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example interactions between components of anexample portion 300 of network 100. As illustrated, example networkportion 300 may include user device 110, base station 120, networkdevice 130, policy control function 140, and video content provider 160.User device 110, base station 120, network device 130, policy controlfunction 140, and video content provider 160 may include the featuresdescribed above in connection with one or more of FIGS. 1 and 2.Furthermore, user device 110 depicted in FIG. 3 may correspond to afixed user device, such as a television (TV) 110 associated with aset-top box (STB) 110.

Television 110 may include a television monitor that is capable ofdisplaying video content, television programming, content provided bySTB 110, and/or content provided by other devices (e.g., a digital videodisk (DVD) player, a video camera, etc., not shown) connected totelevision 110.

STB 110 may include a device that receives video content (e.g., fromvideo content provider 160), and provides the video content totelevision 110 or another device. STB 110 may record video content in adigital format to a disk drive or other memory medium within STB 110. Inone example implementation, STB 110 may be incorporated directly withintelevision 110 and/or may include a digital video recorder (DVR). Inanother implementation, television/STB 110 may be replaced with acomputing device, such as a personal computer, a laptop computer, atablet computer, etc.

In one example implementation, user device 110 (e.g., STB 110) mayconnect to an outdoor broadband unit (not shown) that enables userdevice 110 to wirelessly communicate with base station 120. The outdoorbroadband unit may include a radio frequency (RF) antenna and a LTEmodule. The RF antenna may include an antenna to transmit and/or receiveRF signals over the air. The RF antenna may, for example, receive RFsignals from the LTE module and transmit the RF signals over the air.Also, the RF antenna may, for example, receive RF signals over the airand provide them to the LTE module. In one implementation, for example,the LTE module may communicate with base station 120 to send and/orreceive signals from user device 110. The LTE module may includecommunication capability via an air interface. For example, the LTEmodule may receive broadband signals and/or VoIP signals from basestation 120 (e.g., via the RF antenna) and may transmit broadbandsignals and/or VoIP signals to base station 120 (e.g., via the RFantenna). The LTE module may employ frequency division duplex (FDD)and/or time division duplex (TDD) techniques to facilitate downlink anduplink transmissions.

As further shown in FIG. 3, a user (not shown) may utilize user device110 to generate a request 310 for video content to be displayed on userdevice 110. For example, the user may be viewing a menu of VOD content(e.g., via user device 110), and may select a video provided by themenu. User device 110 may wirelessly provide video content request 310to base station 120, and base station 120 may forward video contentrequest 310 to network device 130. Network device 130 may forward videocontent request 310 to video content provider 160 (e.g., via network150, not shown). Video content provider 160 may receive video contentrequest 310 from network device 130, and may interact with policycontrol function 140 to deliver traffic parameters 320 associated withthe video content requested by video content request 310 (e.g., prior toproviding the video content to user device 110). For example, videocontent provider 160 may provide, to policy control function 140,traffic parameters 320, such as source and/or destination IP addressesover which the video content will be delivered; a port over which thevideo content will be delivered; a protocol (e.g., a transmissioncontrol protocol (TCP), a user datagram protocol (UDP), a real-timetransport protocol (RTP), etc.) over which the video content will becarried; average and peak data rates associated with the video content;etc.

Policy control function 140 may receive traffic parameters 320, and maytrigger creation of a dedicated bearer (e.g., based on trafficparameters 320) for user device 110 in the wireless access networkprovided by base station 120 and/or network device 130, as indicated byreference number 330. Video content provider 160 may search for therequested video content (e.g., provided via video content request 310),and may provide the requested video content 340 to network device 130.After creation of the dedicated bearer for user device 110, networkdevice 130 may assign or provide QoS parameters or guarantees (e.g.,based on traffic parameters 320) to video content 340 in order to createvideo content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 350. For example, networkdevice 130 may provide QoS that guarantees a certain level ofperformance (e.g., a required bit rate, delay, jitter, packet droppingprobability, and/or BER may be guaranteed) for video content 340. Inanother example, as packets associated with video content 340 arrive atnetwork device 130, network device 130 may mark the packets with QoSparameters.

As further shown in FIG. 3, network device 130 may provide video content(e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 350 to base station 120. Base station120 may provide similar QoS treatment to video content 350 as providedby network device 130 (e.g., as described above), and may guarantee anaverage data rate to video content 350. Base station 120 may providevideo content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 350 to user device 110(e.g., to STB 110). User device 110 may receive video content 350 andmay display video content 350 to the user (e.g., via television 110).

Although FIG. 3 shows example components of network portion 300, inother implementations, network portion 300 may contain fewer components,different components, differently arranged components, and/or additionalcomponents than depicted in FIG. 3. Alternatively, or additionally, oneor more components of network portion 300 may perform one or more othertasks described as being performed by one or more other components ofnetwork portion 300.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of example interactions between components ofanother example portion 400 of network 100. As illustrated, examplenetwork portion 400 may include user device 110, base station 120,network device 130, policy control function 140, and video contentprovider 160. User device 110, base station 120, network device 130,policy control function 140, and video content provider 160 may includethe features described above in connection with one or more of FIGS.1-3. Furthermore, user device 110 depicted in FIG. 4 may correspond to afixed user device, such as a television (TV) 110 associated with a STB110. Television 110 and STB 110 may include the features described abovein connection with FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, subscriber profile information 410 may bepre-provisioned in policy control function 140 (e.g., by video contentprovider 160 and/or other sources). Subscriber profile information 410may include information associated with subscribers (e.g., users of userdevices 110) of video content provider 160. For example, subscriberprofile information 410 may include traffic parameters 320 (e.g., sourceand/or destination IP addresses over which video content will bedelivered, a port over which video content will be delivered, a protocolover which video content will be carried, average and peak data ratesassociated with video content, etc.) associated with subscribers ofvideo content provider 160.

As further shown in FIG. 4, a user (not shown) may utilize user device110 (e.g., STB 110) to attach to the wireless access network (e.g.,provided by base station 120 and/or network device 130), as indicated byreference number 420. When the user (e.g., via STB 110) attaches to thewireless access network, policy control function 140 may be instructed(e.g., by network device 130) to provide profile information 430 for thespecific user to network device 130. Specific profile information 430may include traffic parameters 320 (e.g., source and/or destination IPaddresses over which video content will be delivered, a port over whichvideo content will be delivered, a protocol over which video contentwill be carried, average and peak data rates associated with videocontent, etc.) associated with the user of user device 110.

The user may also utilize user device 110 (e.g., STB 110) to generate arequest 440 for video content to be displayed on user device 110. Forexample, the user may be viewing a menu of pay-per-view content (e.g.,via user device 110), and may select a video provided by the menu. Userdevice 110 may wirelessly provide video content request 440 to basestation 120, and base station 120 may forward video content request 440to network device 130. Network device 130 may forward video contentrequest 440 to video content provider 160 (e.g., via network 150, notshown). Video content provider 160 may receive video content request 440from network device 130, may search for the requested video content(e.g., provided via video content request 440), and may provide therequested video content 450 to network device 130.

Network device 130 may receive video content 450 (e.g., packets of videocontent 450), and may determine whether packets of video content 450match specific profile information 430 received from policy controlfunction 140. When network device 130 detects a packet of video content450 (e.g., as video content 450 is received) that matches specificprofile information 430, network device 130 may trigger creation of adedicated bearer (e.g., based on specific profile information 430) foruser device 110 in the wireless access network provided by base station120 and/or network device 130, as indicated by reference number 460. Thededicated bearer may be created quickly (e.g., in a fraction of asecond), and packets of video content 450 arriving at network device 130may be queued until the dedicated bearer is created. If network device130 fails to detect a packet of video content 450 that matches specificprofile information 430, network device 130 may optimize resources bynot creating the dedicated bearer.

After creation of the dedicated bearer for user device 110, networkdevice 130 may assign or provide QoS parameters or guarantees (e.g.,based on specific profile information 430) to video content 450 (e.g.,to new packets and to queued packets of video content 450) in order tocreate video content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 470. For example,network device 130 may provide QoS that guarantees a certain level ofperformance (e.g., a required bit rate, delay, jitter, packet droppingprobability, and/or BER may be guaranteed) for video content 450. Inanother example, as packets associated with video content 450 arrive atnetwork device 130, network device 130 may mark the packets with QoSparameters.

As further shown in FIG. 4, network device 130 may provide video content(e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 470 to base station 120. Base station120 may provide similar QoS treatment to video content 470 as providedby network device 130 (e.g., as described above), and may guarantee anaverage data rate to video content 470. Base station 120 may providevideo content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 470 to user device 110(e.g., to STB 110). User device 110 may receive video content 470 andmay display video content 470 to the user (e.g., via television 110).

Although FIG. 4 shows example components of network portion 400, inother implementations, network portion 400 may contain fewer components,different components, differently arranged components, and/or additionalcomponents than depicted in FIG. 4. Alternatively, or additionally, oneor more components of network portion 400 may perform one or more othertasks described as being performed by one or more other components ofnetwork portion 400.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of example functional components of network device130. In one implementation, the functions described in connection withFIG. 5 may be performed by one or more components of device 200 (FIG.2). As shown in FIG. 5, network device 130 may include a video contentreceiver 500, a dedicated bearer creator 510, and a QoS marker 520.

Video content receiver 500 may include hardware or a combination ofhardware and software that may receive video content request 310 and/orvideo content request 440 from user device 110, and may forward videocontent requests 310/440 to video content provider 160 (e.g., vianetwork 150). Video content receiver 500 may also receive video content340 and/or video content 450 from video content provider 160, mayprovide video content 340/450 to QoS marker 520, and may provide videocontent 450 to dedicated bearer creator 510.

Dedicated bearer creator 510 may include hardware or a combination ofhardware and software that may receive trigger 330 to create a dedicatedbearer (e.g., based on traffic parameters 320 provided via trigger 330)for user device 110 in the wireless access network provided by basestation 120 and/or network device 130. Dedicated bearer creator 510 mayprovide trigger 330 to base station 120 so that base station 120 maycreate the dedicated bearer for user device 110. As further shown inFIG. 5, dedicated bearer creator 510 may receive specific profileinformation 430 from policy control function 140 and video content 450from video content provider 160, and may determine whether packets ofvideo content 450 match specific profile information 430. When dedicatedbearer creator 510 detects a packet of video content 450 that matchesspecific profile information 430, dedicated bearer creator 510 maytrigger creation of a dedicated bearer (e.g., based on specific profileinformation 430) for user device 110 in the wireless access networkprovided by base station 120 and/or network device 130, as indicated byreference number 460. Dedicated bearer creator 510 may provide trigger330 and specific profile information 430 to QoS marker 520.

QoS marker 520 may include hardware or a combination of hardware andsoftware that may receive trigger 330 and/or specific profileinformation 430 from dedicated bearer creator 510, and may receive videocontent 340/450 from video content receiver 500. In one example, QoSmarker 520 may assign or provide QoS parameters or guarantees (e.g.,based on traffic parameters 320 provided via trigger 330) to videocontent 340 in order to create video content (e.g., with the QoSguarantees) 350. QoS marker 520 may provide video content (e.g., withthe QoS guarantees) 350 to base station 120. In another example, QoSmarker 520 may assign or provide QoS parameters or guarantees (e.g.,based on specific profile information 430) to video content 450 (e.g.,to new packets and to queued packets of video content 450) in order tocreate video content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 470. QoS marker 520may provide video content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 470 to basestation 120.

Although FIG. 5 shows example functional components of network device130, in other implementations, network device 130 may contain fewerfunctional components, different functional components, differentlyarranged functional components, and/or additional functional componentsthan depicted in FIG. 5. Alternatively, or additionally, one or morefunctional components of network device 130 may perform one or moreother tasks described as being performed by one or more other functionalcomponents of network device 130.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of example functional components of policy controlfunction 140. In one implementation, the functions described inconnection with FIG. 6 may be performed by one or more components ofdevice 200 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 6, policy control function 140 mayinclude a dedicated bearer creator 600 and a subscriber profilecomponent 610.

Dedicated bearer creator 600 may include hardware or a combination ofhardware and software that may receive traffic parameters 320 from videocontent provider 160. Traffic parameters 320 may include addressinformation (e.g., source and/or destination IP addresses over whichvideo content will be delivered); port information (e.g., a port overwhich video content will be delivered); protocol information (e.g., aprotocol, such as TCP, UDP, RTP, etc., over which video content will becarried); and data rate information (e.g., average and peak data ratesassociated with video content). As further shown in FIG. 6, dedicatedbearer creator 600 may generate trigger 330 for creating a dedicatedbearer (e.g., based on traffic parameters 320) for user device 110 inthe wireless access network provided by base station 120 and/or networkdevice 130. Dedicated bearer creator 600 may provide trigger 330 tonetwork device 130.

Subscriber profile component 610 may include hardware or a combinationof hardware and software that may receive subscriber profile information410 from, for example, video content provider 160. When a specific user(e.g., via user device 110) attaches to the wireless access network,subscriber profile component 610 may provide profile information 430 forthe specific user to network device 130. As shown in FIG. 6, specificprofile information 430 may include address information (e.g., sourceand/or destination IP addresses over which video content will bedelivered); port information (e.g., a port over which video content willbe delivered); protocol information (e.g., a protocol, such as TCP, UDP,RTP, etc., over which video content will be carried); and data rateinformation (e.g., average and peak data rates associated with videocontent) associated with the user of user device 110.

Although FIG. 6 shows example functional components of policy controlfunction 140, in other implementations, policy control function 140 maycontain fewer functional components, different functional components,differently arranged functional components, and/or additional functionalcomponents than depicted in FIG. 6. Alternatively, or additionally, oneor more functional components of policy control function 140 may performone or more other tasks described as being performed by one or moreother functional components of policy control function 140.

FIGS. 7-10 are flow charts of example processes 700-1000 for providingQoS guarantees to video content delivered to fixed user devices overwireless access networks according to implementations described herein.In one implementation, processes 700 and 800 may be performed by policycontrol function 140. In another implementation, some or all ofprocesses 700 and 800 may be performed by another device or group ofdevices, including or excluding policy control function 140. In oneimplementation, processes 900 and 1000 may be performed by networkdevice 130. In another implementation, some or all of processes 900 and1000 may be performed by another device or group of devices, includingor excluding network device 130.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, process 700 may include receiving, from acontent provider, traffic parameters associated with a video contentrequest received from a fixed user device connected to a LTE network(block 710), and generating a trigger for creating a dedicated bearer inthe LTE network based on the traffic parameters (block 720). Forexample, in implementations described above in connection with FIGS. 3and 6, video content provider 160 may interact with policy controlfunction 140 to deliver traffic parameters 320 associated with the videocontent requested by video content request 310 (e.g., prior to providingthe video content to user device 110). In one example, video contentprovider 160 may provide, to policy control function 140, trafficparameters 320, such as source and/or destination IP addresses overwhich the video content will be delivered; a port over which the videocontent will be delivered; a protocol (e.g., a TCP, a UDP, a RTP, etc.)over which the video content will be carried; average and peak datarates associated with the video content; etc. Policy control function140 may receive traffic parameters 320, and dedicated bearer creator 600of policy control function 140 may generate trigger 330 for creating adedicated bearer (e.g., based on traffic parameters 320) for user device110 in the wireless access network (e.g., provided by base station 120and/or network device 130).

As further shown in FIG. 7, process 700 may include providing thetrigger to the LTE network, where the LTE network creates the dedicatedbearer for the user device based on the trigger and provides QoStreatment to video content delivered to the user device based on thetraffic parameters (block 730). For example, in implementationsdescribed above in connection with FIG. 3, policy control function 140may trigger creation of a dedicated bearer (e.g., based on trafficparameters 320) for user device 110 in the wireless access networkprovided by base station 120 and/or network device 130, as indicated byreference number 330. After creation of the dedicated bearer for userdevice 110, network device 130 may assign or provide QoS parameters orguarantees (e.g., based on traffic parameters 320) to video content 340in order to create video content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 350. Inone example, network device 130 may provide QoS that guarantees acertain level of performance (e.g., a required bit rate, delay, jitter,packet dropping probability, and/or BER may be guaranteed) for videocontent 340.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, process 800 may include receiving, from acontent provider, profile information associated with video contentsubscribers (block 810). For example, in implementations described abovein connection with FIG. 4, subscriber profile information 410 may bepre-provisioned in policy control function 140 (e.g., by video contentprovider 160 and/or other sources). Subscriber profile information 410may include information associated with subscribers (e.g., users of userdevices 110) of video content provider 160. In one example, subscriberprofile information 410 may include traffic parameters 320 (e.g., sourceand/or destination IP addresses over which the video content will bedelivered, a port over which the video content will be delivered, aprotocol over which the video content will be carried, average and peakdata rates associated with the video content, etc.) associated withsubscribers of video content provider 160.

As further shown in FIG. 8, process 800 may include providing, to a LTEnetwork, particular subscriber information, from the received profileinformation, when a particular subscriber attaches to the LTE network,where the LTE network provides QoS treatment, based on the particularsubscriber profile information, to video content delivered to a fixeduser device connected to the LTE network (block 820). For example, inimplementations described above in connection with FIG. 4, when the user(e.g., via STB 110) attaches to the wireless access network, profileinformation 430 for the specific user may be provided by policy controlfunction 140 to network device 130. Specific profile information 430 mayinclude traffic parameters 320 associated with the user of user device110. Video content provider 160 may receive video content request 440generated by user device 110, may search for the requested video content(e.g., provided via video content request 440), and may provide therequested video content 450 to network device 130. When network device130 detects a packet of video content 450 that matches specific profileinformation 430, network device 130 may trigger creation of a dedicatedbearer (e.g., based on specific profile information 430) for user device110 in the wireless access network provided by base station 120 and/ornetwork device 130. After creation of the dedicated bearer for userdevice 110, network device 130 may assign or provide QoS parameters orguarantees (e.g., based on specific profile information 430) to videocontent 450 (e.g., to new packets and to queued packets of video content450) in order to create video content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees)470. Network device 130 may provide video content (e.g., with the QoSguarantees) 470 to base station 120, and base station 120 may providevideo content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 470 to user device 110(e.g., to STB 110).

As illustrated in FIG. 9, process 900 may include receiving a videocontent request from a fixed user device connected to a LTE network(block 910), and providing the video content request to a contentprovider (block 920). For example, in implementations described above inconnection with FIG. 3, a user (not shown) may utilize user device 110to generate request 310 for video content to be displayed on user device110. User device 110 may wirelessly provide video content request 310 tobase station 120, and base station 120 may forward video content request310 to network device 130. Network device 130 may forward video contentrequest 310 to video content provider 160 (e.g., via network 150, notshown).

As further shown in FIG. 9, process 900 may include receiving a triggerfor creating a dedicated bearer for the user device, in the LTE network,based on traffic parameters associated with the video content request(block 930), and creating the dedicated bearer for the user device basedon the trigger (block 940). For example, in implementations describedabove in connection with FIG. 5, dedicated bearer creator 510 of networkdevice 130 may receive trigger 330 to create a dedicated bearer (e.g.,based on traffic parameters 320 provided via trigger 330) for userdevice 110 in the wireless access network provided by base station 120and/or network device 130. Dedicated bearer creator 510 may providetrigger 330 to base station 120 so that base station 120 may create thededicated bearer for user device 110.

Returning to FIG. 9, process 900 may include receiving video contentfrom the content provider based on the video content request (block950), providing QoS treatment to the video content based on the trafficparameters (block 960), and providing, to the user device via the LTEnetwork, the video content with the QoS parameters (block 970). Forexample, in implementations described above in connection with FIG. 3,video content provider 160 may search for the requested video content(e.g., provided via video content request 310), and may provide therequested video content 340 to network device 130. After creation of thededicated bearer for user device 110, network device 130 may assign orprovide QoS parameters or guarantees (e.g., based on traffic parameters320) to video content 340 in order to create video content (e.g., withthe QoS guarantees) 350. Network device 130 may provide video content(e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 350 to base station 120, and basestation 120 may provide video content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees)350 to user device 110 (e.g., to STB 110).

As illustrated in FIG. 10, process 1000 may include receiving subscriberprofile information for a fixed user device when the user deviceconnects to a LTE network (block 1010), receiving a video contentrequest from the fixed user device connected to the LTE network (block1020), and providing the video content request to a content provider(block 1030). For example, in implementations described above inconnection with FIG. 4, when the user (e.g., via STB 110) attaches tothe wireless access network, profile information 430 for the specificuser may be provided by policy control function 140 to network device130. The user may also utilize user device 110 (e.g., STB 110) togenerate request 440 for video content to be displayed on user device110. User device 110 may wirelessly provide video content request 440 tobase station 120, and base station 120 may forward video content request440 to network device 130. Network device 130 may forward video contentrequest 440 to video content provider 160 (e.g., via network 150, notshown).

As further shown in FIG. 10, process 1000 may include receiving videocontent from the content provider based on the video content request(block 1040), and creating a dedicated bearer for the user device whenthe video content matches the subscriber profile information (block1050). For example, in implementations described above in connectionwith FIG. 4, network device 130 may receive video content 450 (e.g.,packets of video content 450), and may determine whether packets ofvideo content 450 match specific profile information 430 received frompolicy control function 140. When network device 130 detects a packet ofvideo content 450 that matches specific profile information 430, networkdevice 130 may trigger creation of a dedicated bearer (e.g., based onspecific profile information 430) for user device 110 in the wirelessaccess network provided by base station 120 and/or network device 130,as indicated by reference number 460.

Returning to FIG. 10, process 1000 may include providing QoS treatmentto the video content based on the subscriber profile information (block1060), and providing, to the user device via the LTE network, the videocontent with the QoS parameters (block 1070). For example, inimplementations described above in connection with FIG. 4, aftercreation of the dedicated bearer for user device 110, network device 130may assign or provide QoS parameters or guarantees (e.g., based onspecific profile information 430) to video content 450 (e.g., to newpackets and to queued packets of video content 450) in order to createvideo content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 470. Network device 130may provide video content (e.g., with the QoS guarantees) 470 to basestation 120, and base station 120 may provide video content (e.g., withthe QoS guarantees) 470 to user device 110 (e.g., to STB 110).

Systems and/or methods described herein may provide QoS guarantees tovideo content delivered to fixed user devices over wireless accessnetworks. The systems and/or methods may extend policy controlcapabilities of the wireless access network so that policies for QoSdelivery are simplified.

The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration anddescription, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variationsare possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired frompractice of the invention.

For example, while series of blocks have been described with regard toFIGS. 7-10, the order of the blocks may be modified in otherimplementations. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed inparallel.

It will be apparent that example aspects, as described above, may beimplemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardwarein the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual softwarecode or specialized control hardware used to implement these aspectsshould not be construed as limiting. Thus, the operation and behavior ofthe aspects were described without reference to the specific softwarecode—it being understood that software and control hardware could bedesigned to implement the aspects based on the description herein.

Further, certain portions of the invention may be implemented as a“component” that performs one or more functions. These components mayinclude hardware, such as an ASIC or a FPGA, or a combination ofhardware and software.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the invention. In fact, many of these features may becombined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosedin the specification.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitlydescribed as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended toinclude one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term“one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” isintended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly statedotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method implemented by a computing device,comprising: receiving a video content request from a user device;providing the video content request to a content provider; receiving therequested video content from the content provider; creating a dedicatedbearer for the user device, in response to determining that a portion ofthe received video content matches profile information associated withthe user device; and preventing the creation of the dedicated bearer forthe user device when a portion of the received video content fails tomatch the profile information.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theprofile information includes comprises at least one of: source ordestination Internet protocol (IP) addresses over which the videocontent will be delivered, a port over which the video content will bedelivered, a protocol over which the requested video content will becarried, an average data rate associated with the request video content,or a peak data rate associated with the request video content.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: assigning quality of service(QoS) parameters to the video content based on traffic parameters, andproviding the video content to the user device with the QoS parameters.4. The method of claim 3, wherein the QoS parameters include at leastone of a required bit rate, a delay, jitter, packet dropping, or a biterror rate (BER) associated with the video content.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, where the user device includes at least one of: a laptopcomputer, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a set-top box (STB), atelevision, or a gaming system.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thevideo content is provided via a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. 7.The method of claim 1, where creating a dedicated bearer furthercomprises: determining whether a packet of the received video contentmatches specific profile information; triggering creation of thededicated bearer for the user device when the packet of the videocontent matches the specific profile information; and providing, in aqueue, packets of the received video content arriving at the computingdevice until the dedicated bearer is created for the user device.
 8. Amethod implemented by a computing device, the method comprising:receiving subscriber profile information for a user device when the userdevice connects to a wireless access network; receiving a video contentrequest from the user device connected to the wireless access network;providing the video content request to a content provider; receivingvideo content from the content provider based on the video contentrequest; determining whether a portion of the video content matches thesubscriber profile information; creating a dedicated bearer, for theuser device in the wireless access network, in response to determiningthat a portion of the video content matches the subscriber profileinformation; and preventing the creation of the dedicated bearer for theuser device in response to determining that a portion of the videocontent fails to match the subscriber profile information.
 9. The methodof claim 8, further comprising: assigning, by the computing device andwhen the dedicated bearer is created, quality of service (QoS)parameters to the video content based on traffic parameters, wherein thetraffic parameters include at least two of: a source or destinationInternet protocol (IP) addresses over which the video content will bedelivered, a port over which the video content will be delivered, anaverage data rate associated with the video content, or a peak data rateassociated with the video content.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: providing, by the computing device and to the user device,the video content with the QoS parameters.
 11. The method of claim 8,further comprising: queuing packets of the video content arriving at thecomputing device until the dedicated bearer is created for the userdevice.
 12. The method of claim 8, where the wireless access networkincludes a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.
 13. The method of claim 8,where the subscriber profile information comprises at least one of:source or destination Internet protocol (IP) address over which thevideo content will be delivered, a port over which the video contentwill be delivered, a protocol over which the video content will becarried, an average data rate associated with the video content, or apeak data rate associated with the video content.
 14. The method ofclaim 9, where the QoS parameters include at least one of: a requiredbit rate for the video content, a delay associated with the videocontent, jitter associated with the video content, packet droppingprobability associated with the video content, or a bit error rate (BER)associated with the video content.
 15. The method of claim 14, where thewireless access network includes a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.16. The method of claim 8, where the user device includes at least oneof: a laptop computer, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a set-topbox (STB), a television, or a gaming system.
 17. A device comprising: amemory to store a plurality of instructions; and a processor to executeinstructions in the memory to: receive subscriber profile informationfor a user device when the user device connects to a wireless accessnetwork, receive a video content request from the user device, providethe video content request to a content provider, receive video contentfrom the content provider based on the video content request, create, asthe video content is received from the content provider, a dedicatedbearer, for the user device in the wireless access network, when aportion of the video content matches the subscriber profile information,and prevent creation of the dedicated bearer for the user device when aportion of the video content fails to match the subscriber profileinformation.
 18. The device of claim 17 where the processor is furtherto: assign, when the dedicated bearer is created, quality of service(QoS) parameters to the video content based on the traffic parameters,and provide, to the user device, the video content with the QoSparameters.
 19. The device of claim 18, where the QoS parameters includeone or more of: a required bit rate for the video content, a delayassociated with the video content, jitter associated with the videocontent, packet dropping probability associated with the video content,or a bit error rate (BER) associated with the video content.
 20. Thedevice of claim 17, where the user device includes at least one of: alaptop computer, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a set-top box(STB), a television, or a gaming system.